Thursday’s “Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country [CPRC] spokesperson’s press statement,” which denounced South Korea for its joint aerial exercises with the U.S., is significant for four reasons.

Firstly, it is an official North Korean reaction to South Korea’s military exercises, and it marks the first comment attributed to the CPRC or to a CPRC official in approximately a year. Secondly, it was carried domestically.

Thirdly, the language is notably harsher than what the North has been observed to use since the diplomatic detente began in 2018. Finally, it targets